Top Games You'd Like to Have for Atari 8-Bits

[+MrFish]

Ghostbuster's players graphics really need to be improved, especially poor single color players (VCS players are better!).

 

This is an interesting point about 2600 sprites being better.

I think in many cases, because the system is generally

weaker in graphics, that more attention is given to

the individual graphic elements.

 

One other example I can think of off the top of my head is

Crystal Castles. The sprites are reasonably well designed

in the 8-bit version but in many cases the 2600 version's

sprites are better.

 

For instance, the bear is only a single color on the 2600

version, but looks better in my opinion than the multicolor

8-bit version. Now, the trees are more of a general design

decision, the 8-bit version having chosen double-width,

rather than to have flickering sprites at single-width. But

the bear and other sprites are just drawn better on the

2600 version.

 

In other games I see a lot of vertical changes in color for

2600 sprites, whereas on the 8-bits they'll often use a

single color or perhaps only 2 colors. In a way, it seems

like a lot of effort often goes in to making up for the 2600's

weaknesses, whereas with the 8-bits there's been some

laziness.

Edited April 3, 2018 by MrFish

[+MrFish]

BTW, Summer Games graphics, especially flag selection, need to be improved too.

 

Man, I always thought Summer Games was pretty finely done.

So, you'd like to see more countries available for selection?

What other graphics do you see as being weak in Summer

Games?

[peteym5]

Advance Dungeons and Dragons Style Role Playing Game.

 

If there is something I like to see on the Atari 8-bit, I will make it.

[+Stephen]

 

This is an interesting point about 2600 sprites being better.

I think in many cases, because the system is generally

weaker in graphics, that more attention is given to

the individual graphic elements.

 

One other example I can think of off the top of my head is

Crystal Castles. The sprites are reasonably well designed

in the 8-bit version but in many cases the 2600 version's

sprites are better.

 

For instance, the bear is only a single color on the 2600

version, but looks better in my opinion than the multicolor

8-bit version. Now, the trees are more of a general design

decision, the 8-bit version having chosen double-width,

rather than to have flickering sprites at single-width. But

the bear and other sprites are just drawn better on the

2600 version.

 

In other games I see a lot of vertical changes in color for

2600 sprites, whereas on the 8-bits they'll often use a

single color or perhaps only 2 colors. In a way, it seems

like a lot of effort often goes in to making up for the 2600's

weaknesses, whereas with the 8-bits there's been some

laziness.

Wouldn't that also be because every 2600 game needs a dedicated display kernel, making it "easier" to do scanline colour changes on the sprites?

[Stefan Both]

I own 4 different systems so I can agree

with the opinion, there is no real need to convert a game,

even if it would be possible to improve it.

Laura impressed me. And it's an "A8 game only" isn't it?

Or that Ridiculous Reality... But I also enjoy the games

we're playing at the high score club, even- maybe because

thats often old(style) games.

 

Stefan

[NRV]

Hmm - I think someone started that, it was Project M

Ha.. I was talking about something better than that (at least about the engine, that's no game yet).

 

I found and old list of possible ports that I liked, all arcade games:

 

Exerion

Front Line

Jumpbug

Empire City

Crazy Climber

Bagman

Sidepocket

Turtles

Road Fighter

Starforce

Raimais

City Connection

Elevator Action

Rygar

Bubble Bobble

[Fingolfin]

re: Lunar Lander

http://moonlander.seb.ly

I don't like running online emulations but this one's very simple (as it should be!).

Much better than the Lunar Lander emulation presently on Atari's own website!

Cie La Vie!

[Fingolfin]

A8 minecraft

… merely typing that has alerted Microsoft security drones; they’re on their way…I can hear something loud and buzzing outside my window…oh, no th

[+Philsan]

 

This is an interesting point about 2600 sprites being better.

 

(...)

 

I hope someone would improve A8 Ghostbuster's players sprites!

 

VCS

A8

C64

[+MrFish]

Wouldn't that also be because every 2600 game needs a dedicated display kernel, making it "easier" to do scanline colour changes on the sprites?

 

[Edit]

 

It might be easier, but if not being easy were the excuse for doing a

a poor job then I guess all A8 sprites should look inferior to 2600

sprites.

 

One thing you can say about all of the Activision ports from 2600

that people are criticizing: at least they made the A8 sprites up to

par with those on the 2600.

Edited April 3, 2018 by MrFish

[+Philsan]

 

Man, I always thought Summer Games was pretty finely done.

So, you'd like to see more countries available for selection?

What other graphics do you see as being weak in Summer

Games?

A8

C64

 

I think A8 palette allows a better skin color...

A8

C64

[+MrFish]

I thought you'd probably bring out the gymnastics as an example.

You're right, it could use a couple DLI's to change the crowd colors,

the colors of the lights, and maybe even one more to add some

variation to the mats.

 

Same thing could be done for the swimming; and, yes, he's a little

bit pink, isn't he. At least they used a DLI for the crowd on the

swimming, which they didn't do for the gymnastics. Seems kind of

lazy...

Edited April 3, 2018 by MrFish

[+MrFish]

A couple of DLI's (and a change for the swimmer's P/M color) could easily get you to here:

 

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by MrFish

[+MrFish]

Man, the more I look at that swimmer's arm there,

I'm wondering what in the world is going on. It looks

like some kind of chicken wing or something.

[+MrFish]

Bagman

 

Classic arcade game. I've thought about this one myself.

 

 

Sidepocket

 

The A8 could use some better pool games. This is pretty

good and looks doable. Pool games are ultimately a little

frustrating on lower resolution machines because some

shots that are possible don't seem to allow for the right

angle of shot to put them in. A good game for such

systems should allow for enough error that they don't

become frustrating, but at the same time aren't overly

easy.

 

 

Road Fighter

 

Never played it before just now, but it looks pretty cool.

I'll have to check it out more. One thing about vertical

scrolling games like this is that we don't have all that

vertical room; so it's really necessary to adjust

gameplay to suit the shorter screen of the A8; plus,

they might not end up being as fun as the arcade

because of that. Having said that, spy hunter is pretty

fun.

 

 

Starforce

 

First time playing this one too. I like what I've played

so far. Fun game with cool graphics. I don't really like

the endbosses that much, but that's something that

could changed. Also, same issues here with vertical

scrolling, so may not translate as good, but with proper

adjustments still good be a good game on the A8.

 

 

Raimais

 

This looks like a pretty cool game too. It gets a little

hard after a few stages, but gameplay can always be

adjusted. Also, I think there could be some other cool

powerups to add (maybe there are more in later

stages?).

 

 

Rygar

 

This doesn't look possible on the system, with so many

large moving objects at once. You might be able to scale

things down, but for sprites you'd probably have to use

double or quad width, blocky sprites and a multiplexer. It

would be interesting to try something like that, as I don't

if I've seen too many attempts at large, blocky sprites on

the system, especially a lot and using a multiplexer.

 

 

Bubble Bobble

 

I think a lot of people are interested in seeing this one

for the system. In fact I believe Tezz has it on his list and

you also had a tech demo of a game based on it (I think I

still have a copy of it), correct?

 

[Atari030]

Shadow of the beast, Checkered Flag, Hard drivin, Desert strike, Blue lightning.... lots of other Lynx games too.

[Gunstar]

Front Line

Ikari Warriors

Double Dragon

Elevator Action

Mappy

Vindicators

[+Philsan]

I would definitely play a good tennis game and a good soccer game.

 

Regarding tennis, we already have Atari Tennis but gameplay's boring.

We have source code so it could be improved.

BTW, tennis players aren't on the same scanline so no sprites limitations.

 

To make a good soccer game is not easy task.

Perhaps Thorn EMI Soccer could be improved.

I think C64 Emlyn Huges International Soccer is impossible for A8.

Perhaps Microprose Soccer would be possible.

When you think about games like Kick Off or Sensible Soccer, keep in mind that Atari doesn't have color high resolution so ball's physics are not easy at 160x200 resolution.

 

Regarding sports games, perhaps few people know International Basketball for C64.

You have to play it to discover the fact players have a body, they don't overlap each others.

[carlsson]

When it comes to sport games, how about Hypa-Ball which AFAIK up to now is exclusive to the C64 and ZX Spectrum? It features two teams of 3 players each, one ball, one moving basket. Great music for the POKEY people to recreate or improve, also rather fun to play.

 

[+CharlieChaplin]

When it comes to sport games, how about Hypa-Ball which AFAIK up to now is exclusive to the C64 and ZX Spectrum? It features two teams of 3 players each, one ball, one moving basket. Great music for the POKEY people to recreate or improve, also rather fun to play.

 

 

Well,

 

if you can accept a simple, boring, stupid, awful clone try this one:

http://a8.fandal.cz/detail.php?files_id=5520

Once released on the german Diskline magazine... (Antist, so author most likely was Stefan Soelbrandt).

Edited April 4, 2018 by CharlieChaplin

[McKong]

Bruce Lee 2. The C64 version looks good
Ikari Warriors
The Last Ninja

Bubble Bobble

Gryzor/Contra

Wonder Boy

[Irgendwer]

Man, the more I look at that swimmer's arm there,

I'm wondering what in the world is going on. It looks

like some kind of chicken wing or something.

 

I guess it's meant to be the other way around you see it. The arm is left behind the body and throws a "shadow" onto the body. A single pixel would improve the visualization, as the arm is very thin in the transition - not good.

[carlsson]

if you can accept a simple, boring, stupid, awful clone try this one:

http://a8.fandal.cz/detail.php?files_id=5520

 

Well, it is a little more polished than my comp.sys.sinclair crap game from 2003 but that one I threw together in less than one evening.

https://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/csscgc/csscgc.cgi?search=hypadull.tap&year=2003

 

At least it shows someone previously has tried, though they didn't implement the original game to the fullest. I'm afraid several of the more sophisticated suggestions in this thread would pan out in similar ways, ambitious projects that turn out to not be feasible and left as tech demos at best.

[Level42]

1. Bubble Bobble !!!!!!!

(

)

 

2. Eyes (much forgotten game, brilliant to play, runs on Pac Man hardware on the arcade version soooooooo........maybe it could be based on (Ms.)Pac code ??

 

3. Chip's Challenge (Lynx version)

4. Toki (from arcade/Lynx)

5. Amidar

[Tezz]

1. Bubble Bobble !!!!!!!

(

)

That was an example running on Nostys Tomek-8 cartridge. I've been interested in developing games using a PIC based cart for a while. A whole world of new opportunities for A8 games. Not that I would ever stop developing for the stock Atari too though

Edited April 4, 2018 by Tezz